Soroti pupil murder: suspects get lawyer, court hears of grave searches

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The suspects in the murder of five-year-old Joan Faith Apio, who are currently on remand, have retained a Kampala-based lawyer, Geoffrey Mudawa.

Mudawa filed a notice of instruction to the court, requesting to represent six of the eight suspects who have been on remand since February 19 this year.

The suspects appeared in court remotely via video conferencing before Grade One Magistrate Apollo Kibirige Kasujja on Thursday and were further remanded until April 17, 2025.

John Oluma and his wife, Everline Akol, after court on Thursday morning. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)

Magistrate Kibirige adjourned the case after the state, represented by Stella Maries Lunyolo, requested more time due to incomplete investigations.

This request did not sit well with Mudawa, who appealed to the state to expedite the investigation to ensure justice is served.

“Legally and in practice, it is prudent that investigations be complete by the time the DPP sanctions the files to court, but in many cases, the DPP sanctions files before investigations are finished,” Mudawa told the court.

“This delay continues to hold matters for mention, even though the suspects are on remand and the court does not have jurisdiction to grant them bail,” he added.

The parents of the deceased also expressed concern over the continuous adjournment of the case, which has been ongoing for a month.

“We pray for the court to speed up this matter because we come from far away in Kapelebyong. We request that the ruling is made quickly so we are relieved from having to travel to Soroti,” John Oluma, the father of the deceased, told the court.

He also informed the court that unknown individuals have been searching for the grave of their daughter, which has prompted them to hire security personnel to guard the grave at night.

“Some unknown people, riding on a motorcycle, came to our village asking people to locate our home and the grave site. We are concerned about the safety of our daughter’s grave,” Oluma explained.

The presiding magistrate advised the couple to report the matter to the police and to speak to the State about speeding up the trial.

“After this case, I request you to go and speak to the State regarding the investigations that have not been completed,” Magistrate Kibirige advised.

He also explained that once the State informs the court that investigations are complete, the suspects will be committed to the High Court for trial.

The eight suspects currently on remand include the school director Joseph Okedi, his wife Suzan Vivian Ariokot, school headmaster James Edoket, and police officer John Bosco Obotol, who is also Okedi’s brother.

Other suspects include school matron Osula Adongo, school cook Valentin Opio, and two juveniles, one of whom is Okedi’s daughter.

On February 5, 2025, the body of five-year-old Apio—a twin—was discovered dumped in a latrine at Jozan Nursery and Primary School in East Division, Soroti city.

The police subsequently arrested eight people, including two juveniles, in connection with Apio’s death.

After a court session in early March, a mob stormed Jozan Nursery and Primary School, forced their way in, and set fire to some of the school’s facilities.

Anti-riot police personnel deployed at the scene fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd, but their efforts were unsuccessful until military personnel arrived as reinforcements.

Thirteen people, including Soroti City Woman MP Joan Alobo, have been charged with arson, malicious damage, housebreaking, and inciting violence. They all denied the charges.

Alobo was granted cash bail of sh2m, while the other twelve co-accused were remanded and are due back in court on April 17, the same day the murder suspects will also return.

The school was closed, and city authorities advised parents to register their children in other schools.